Coto de las Canteras (Osuna)

These lands of ancient Urso, from where stone was extracted for constructions since before the Roman occupation, is also known as the Petra of Andalusia for its spectacular stone reliefs. Undoubtedly, this rocky substrate has been used as a stone quarry continuously at least since the Turdetan period, although it seems that its exploitation must have been intensified as a result of the important construction work carried out by the IV Count of Ureña in the 16th century, until the decade from the 60s of the last century that work on it is stopped.

On the very edge of a precipice opened by the stonemasons, there are the ruins of what until the last century was the hermitage of the Vía Sacra. It was built in the middle of the 17th century and the Via Crucis ended there. Next to it, as a chapel, remain the remains of some tombs carved into the rock, following the model of the necropolis.

However, Osuna's most impressive sight isn't a building. In fact, the incredible Coto de las Canteras is an archaeological site formed by natural erosion and modeled by mankind since the 5th century BC. Stone was removed from a small hill here, creating a cave that is now used as a museum, a center for celebrations and even an auditorium.